Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2009 ASCO Annual Meeting Proceedings (Post-Meeting Edition).
Vol 27, No 15S (May 20 Supplement), 2009: 5529
© 2009 American Society of Clinical Oncology

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Abstract

Tau expression as a predictive marker in ovarian cancer patients (pts) treated with platinum/paclitaxel chemotherapy

Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland

5529

Background: Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic cancer and its standard treatment consists of cytoreductive surgery followed by paclitaxel/platinum-based chemotherapy. Additional prognostic biomarkers may allow for more tailored chemotherapy and an improved outcome. Recently, microtubule associated protein tau was identified as a marker of response to paclitaxel in breast cancer. Its predictive value in ovarian cancer has not been established. We evaluated the relevance of tau expression in ovarian cancer. Methods: Tissue specimens were obtained from 74 ovarian cancer patients (stage I-IV) who underwent cytoreductive surgery followed by standard paclitaxel/platinum (cisplatin or carboplatin) chemotherapy. Tau expression was determined by immunohistochemistry using semiquantitative DAKO test. Statistical analysis included long rank test and Mann Whitney test. Results: Median age of pts was 54 years (range 31–73). 25.7% and 74.3% of the pts were classified as tau-negative and tau-positive, respectively. In the univariate analysis 2-year progression free survival in tau-negative and tau-positive groups was 75.0% and 30.6%, respectively (p = 0.0153). This relationship was confirmed in the multivariate analysis including age, disease stage, histology type, and grade (HR 2.68; 95%CI [1.13–6.37]; p = 0.0255). Among the 46 pts with measurable disease, overall response rate in tau-negative and tau-positive groups was 90.9 and 54.5%, respectively (p = 0.0299, Z = 2.17). Conclusions: Tau protein expression seems to be a strong predictor of clinical outcome in ovarian cancer pts applied paclitaxel/platinum-based chemotherapy.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Abstract presentation from the 2009 ASCO Annual Meeting